Toronto, it can be said, contains multitudes.
It looked enough like a futuristic Detroit to be the stand-in for 2014鈥檚 RoboCop. It had enough academic charm to act as Harvard University in Good Will Hunting. Its otherworldly tendencies served it well in the apocalyptic Pacific Rim.
But if Donald Trump has his way, Hollywood North could be a thing of the past. The U.S. president has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on all foreign-made films, labelling them 鈥減ropaganda鈥 and a 鈥渘ational security threat.鈥
鈥淲E WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN,鈥 Trump posted Sunday on Truth Social.
- Josh Rubin, Richie Assaly, Kristin Rushowy
For Toronto, which saw nearly 1,500 productions shoot here in 2021 鈥 adding $2.5 billion in direct spending, according to the city 鈥 such a tariff would be devastating. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine what would happen to this industry,鈥 Mayor Olivia Chow said, estimating the industry employs 30,000 people in the city.
海角社区官网has been . Here are nine iconic films shot in the city.
Mean Girls
This听Bridle Path mansion at 11 High Point Rd. was one of the locations where Mean Girls was shot.
Sotheby’sStarring Ontario鈥檚 own Rachel McAdams, Mean Girls unfolds on the screen in Evanston, Ill., displaying high school drama in all its glory. In actuality, it was filmed in Toronto. Locations include Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, Malvern Collegiate Institute and Sherway Gardens.
American Psycho
Don鈥檛 let the name fool you; this cult classic was shot almost entirely in Toronto. Starring Christian Bale, the main character Patrick Bateman dines at Biff鈥檚 Bistro at Front and Yonge and gets his dry cleaning at Valet Service Cleaners on Church Street. The shootout with police was filmed on Pearl Street, between Simcoe and Duncan.
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water was shot mostly in Toronto, including this scene at the Keating Channel.
Fox Searchlight PicturesDirector Guillermo del Toro considers 海角社区官网a second home 鈥 and it played host to his 2017 sci-fi romance The Shape of Water, which won the Oscar for best picture. It was partly shot at the brutalist Science and Humanities Wing on the University of 海角社区官网Scarborough campus, which has also been the backdrop for movies like Total Recall and Resident Evil.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding听was shot all around Toronto, including the exterior of the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church.
IFC FilmsWith a budget of only $5 million (U.S.) and a box office of more than $360 million (U.S.), My Big Fat Greek Wedding was the surprise megahit of 2002. 海角社区官网had a starring role. Scenes were shot at 海角社区官网Metropolitan University, Jarvis Collegiate Institute, the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church and St. Nicholas Ukrainian Church, among other locations.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Unlike the other entries on this list, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World听is actually set in Toronto. It embraces the glory of the Bathurst and Bloor Pizza Pizza and the 鈥渢otally awesome castle鈥 that is Casa Loma. Bonus points for starring Brampton-born Michael Cera.
Good Will Hunting
The famous “How do you like them apples?” scene was filmed at Upfront Bar & Grill on Front Street.
Miramax FilmsGood Will Hunting kick-started the careers of Matt Damon and Ben Affleck and scored huge at the box office. And despite telling a story fundamentally centred on the Boston area听鈥 including Harvard University and MIT 鈥 it was partly shot in Toronto. The now-defunct Upfront Bar & Grill on Front Street was where the famous 鈥淗ow do you like them apples?鈥 scene was filmed.
Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad was panned by critics but made nearly $750 million (U.S.).
Warner Bros. PicturesThe critics were not fond of it 鈥 it bellyflopped with a 26 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes 鈥 but 2016鈥檚 Suicide Squad听made nearly $750 million (U.S.) worldwide by the end of its run. In the movie, Will Smith鈥檚 character rappels down the side of 151 Front St. W., a snowstorm hits Adelaide Street and a plane crashes on Yonge Street between College and Wellesley.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
The Harold and Kumar cinematic universe 鈥 three movies, including a Christmas special 鈥 all began with a trip to White Castle, a distinctly American fast food chain. But this buddy stoner comedy was also filmed in Toronto. Movie locations include 398 Avenue Road, the University of 海角社区官网and a Pet Valu in Mississauga.
Hairspray
The Lakeview diner has played host to restaurant scenes over the decades, including Cocktail, Hairspray听补苍诲 The Shape of Water.
Frank Gunn/The Canadian PressThe Lakeview diner at Dundas and Ossington is practically a star on its own 鈥 it has made appearances in Tom Cruise鈥檚 Cocktail, The Shape of Water, The Boondock Saints听补苍诲 Cosmopolis. Hairspray听was no exception, filming here, as well as Lord Lansdowne Public School not far from College and Spadina. Part of the opening scene was filmed on the west end. Unfortunately, 鈥淕ood morning, Dundas and Roncesvalles鈥 doesn鈥檛 have the same ring to it.
With files from Bruce DeMara
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